Most Discussed

Palm Pre Plus, Pixi Plus, gaming hands-on

updated 08:00 pm EST, Thu January 7, 2010

by MacNN Staff

Minor but welcome webOS improvements

After seeing Palm introduce the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus at its CES keynote today, we were eager to get a look at the devices ourselves and had the opportunity this afternoon. We also had a chance to test the new 3D gaming support and to see what software would come out of the box on Verizon versus Sprint.

Design-wise, the changes are subtle but actually fairly welcome. The Pre Plus sees the biggest change and loses the hardware center button for calling up the card view. It's initially a setback, but within a few minutes we got used to relying on either tapping the center area or accessing the home screen from the launcher. Certainly it helps the phone's aesthetic. The Pixi Plus is virtually the same as it has been, although that's not necessarily a problem; we actually like its keyboard more than the Pre's, which isn't terrible but requires more conscious effort than on the Pixi.

We do appreciate the inductive backs being included with both phones out of the gate. Many owners complained of having to switch backs, and the casing no doubt increases the cost of making the Touchstone charger the backs are meant to use.

We could swear the phones are faster than before, though Palm tells us that the hardware is largely the same. Aside from the increased capacity on the Pre Plus, most of the speedup is attributable to minor hardware tweaks as well as the webOS 1.3.5 firmware that has already been available for weeks.

What's most impressive is gaming: namely, that it works as well as it does. We tried Need For Speed and X-Plane, and both ran at least as well as a typical iPhone 3G or (in some cases) 3GS title with roughly as much detail. Despite lacking a home button, the control remains intuitive, and in theory a game can draw on the hardware keyboard for extra controls.

Verizon subscribers who get the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus may be slightly disappointed in terms of software: the only real change we could notice was the replacement of Sprint Navigator with VZ Navigator and the absence of other Sprint apps like its NASCAR news tool. We doubt most buyers will be concerned, though, as Google Maps will handle most non-driving duties and the Palm App Catalog is finally getting to a significant (if still quite small) number of titles.

As such, the two phones aren't revolutions by any means but do show promise, especially for gaming; to date, only the iPhone and Android have had gaming on this level. So long as Verizon prices the phones well and Palm keeps its word of supplying updates like video recording, we could see webOS finally gaining enough market share to make some of its rivals nervous.

Pre Plus

Pixi Plus

TAGS

TOTAL_COMMENTS Comments

3D games may actually be one of the more portable type of applications, given that the vast majority of the code is typically written either to a game engine API, or the OpenGL 3D APIs, with a relatively thin wrapper of Obj-C / UIKit code around the outside.

"What's most impressive is gaming...both ran at least as well as a typical iPhone 3G or (in some cases) 3GS title with roughly as much detail."

This quote's got me stumped. Why shouldn't they perform as well as a 3G or 3GS "title"? The Pre's been out since the 3GS came out, and the Pixi's even newer. The 3G is a year and a half old, and 3GS over six months old.

Expected, perhaps, that a new device's performance keeps up with a six-month (or 1.5 year old) device, since these phones are all at comparable price points. But "impressive," may be a stretch. Especially since there's such a small number of games for the Palm devices, while the iPhone's grown a healthy catalog of 3D games. Current titles, like "NOVA" are even better than launch titles.

Login Here

Now AAPL Stock: 114.19 ( + 2.07 )

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer162d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

162d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry162d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting163d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage163d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor164d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE